Awareness Campaign to Award $60K to U.S. Schools

A new anaphylaxis awareness campaign will award a total of $60,000 in grants to four U.S. public school districts. The four districts which get the most votes (or ‘hands raised’) online will each be awarded a grant of $15,000 to support educational programs.

“Raise Your Hand for Anaphylaxis Awareness,” sponsored by Mylan Specialty (the U.S. distributor of the EpiPen), is an offshoot of the company’s “Get Schooled in Anaphylaxis” initiative, with TV star and allergy mom Julie Bowen acting as a celebrity spokesperson. Earlier this year, ALinterviewed Bowen, who has a son with life-threatening allergies to bee stings, nuts and peanuts, and spoke with her about what it was like to find herself in the role of allergy mom.

“It’s been a real eye-opener to realize how many parents, like me, didn’t know their child had life-threatening allergies until anaphylaxis occurred,” said Bowen in a recent press release.

In order to cast a vote for a district, anyone can vist Anaphylaxis101.com, register, sign in and select their district. Votes can be cast once per day, and there will be special days announced where a single vote is worth extra.

“Anaphylaxis can occur quickly, making fast action and response critical. The Raise Your Hand for Anaphylaxis Awareness competitionis an easy way to help promote anaphylaxis education in school communities across the country so people are prepared to respond,” said Dr. Hemant Sharma, a contributor to Allergic Living, in a press release.

The competition will be open until October 1, 2013 for individuals aged 13 and older. To vote for your district, and for complete competition rules, visit anaphylaxis101.com.